An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 352
THE CHENEY ROLLER MILLS of Cheney, Cummin Bros. & Co., proprietors, are
among the best equipped flour mills in eastern Washington. The plant comprises a
large four-story structure, with an additional warehouse, 50 x 100 feet, and has
a daily capacity of eighty barrels. The present site was purchased by the above
firm in 1890, when it had been greatly depreciated in value and reputation, but
they at once renewed it wholly by new buildings, machinery, etc., putting in the
Todd & Stanley Internal rollers. It has powerful steam facilities, with a
sixty-horse-power engine. They manufacture the celebrated Silver Leaf brand,
which they send all over the United States, and have many testimonials of its
popularity from dealers in Boston and other Eastern cities, as well as from home
consumers. The firm buys most of the wheat grown in this section, and the Cheney
Mills certainly constitute one of the most valuable developments of the thriving
town of Cheney.
George F. Cummin, senior member and manager of the firm of Cummin Bros. &
Co., was born in Michigan, in 1844, a son of James and Julia (Beal) Cummin,
natives of Ireland and New York, respectively. The paternal grandparents,
Alexander and Elizabeth Cummin, were natives of Scotland, afterward removing to
the north of Ireland, and in 1832 came to the United States, settling in New
York. Three years later the father of our subject, James Cummin, settled on a
small place in Detroit, Michigan, where he was among the early pioneers. He
purchased considerable property, now in the center of the city, and engaged in
contracting and building. In 1840 he removed to Shiawassee county, that State,
where he cleared a fine farm, but was principally engaged in merchandising and
the real-estate business in Corunna. Mr. Cummin was quite prominent in politics,
served as County Treasurer for sixteen years in succession, and was the only
Democrat elected at that time. He was very successful in his business
undertakings, and was a large land owner. His wife, the mother of our subject,
died in 1880, and the father still resides at the old home. Both were members of
the Presbyterian Church.
George F. Cummin, the third in a family of six children, was reared and
educated in Corrunna, Michigan. His eldest brother, Alexander, succeeded to his
father's business, and our subject remained with him until 1876. He then
followed mining in Colorado; was with the Union Trust Bank of Chicago three
years; was engaged in importing fruit, meats and rubber in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, for several years; and May 2, 1888, came to Washington, locating
on the Sound. In 1880 he was joined by his brother, James F., and they afterward
came to Cheney and purchased their present mill site. They have made many
improvements in the building, and they now have one of the best mills in eastern
Washington, with all latest improved machinery. Mr. Cummin also owns other
valuable real estate in town. He is active in all public improvements, and is a
prominent member of the Democratic party, which he has recently represented in
State and County conventions. He is an Alternate United States Commissioner, and
represented Washington at the opening of the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, in
October, 1892. Was one of the organizers and is now vice-president of the
National Bank of Cheney, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Temple
Lodge, No. 42, of this city.
James F. Cummin, the miller of the Cheney Roller Mills, was born in Corunna,
Michigan, in 1855, where he was reared and educated. After completing his
education he began milling, which he has ever since continued. In 1884 he
located in Kansas, and in 1889 came to Washington, where, with his brother,
George, he purchased the Cheney Rolling Mills. Mr. Cummin has a handsome home,
and other valuable property.
Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer
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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.